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Supporters rally for Hulett St. fire victims

Federal and local agencies offer reward for information to police on deadly house fire

Staff report
| on February 12, 2014

Liz Terry Dolder, sister of fire victim David Terry, speaks during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y.

Media: Times Union

Schenectady

Relatives and friends of five family members killed or seriously injured last year in a fire held a rally in their honor on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, federal and local officials announced a reward of up to $12,000 for information on the May 2 arson.

The gathering, organized on the Justice for the Terry Family's Facebook page, was held at 438 Hulett St., where David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, were killed. Terry's 5-year-old daughter, Sa'fyre, suffered burns to 75 percent of her body.

The house was razed after the fire.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the fire. The Schenectady Police Department and Schenectady County Arson Task Force added $1,500 and $500 respectively.

Anyone with information should call the ATF's Albany office at 431-4182 or email ATFTips@atf.gov.

Last week, federal prosecutors dropped charges against the man they had accused of setting the deadly fire. Robert A. Butler of Saratoga Springs had faced a possible death sentence if he had been convicted.

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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John Taylor holds a banner during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

John Taylor holds a banner during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Friends and family of fire victim David Terry gather to rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Friends and family of fire victim David Terry gather to rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Liz Terry Dolder, left center, sister of fire victim David Terry, speaks during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Liz Terry Dolder, left center, sister of fire victim David Terry, speaks during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local

Michael Dolder, brother in-law of fire victim David Terry, blocks the wind from a vigil candle during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Michael Dolder, brother in-law of fire victim David Terry, blocks the wind from a vigil candle during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Michael Dolder, brother in-law of fire victim David Terry, blocks the wind from a vigil candle during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Michael Dolder, brother in-law of fire victim David Terry, blocks the wind from a vigil candle during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Michael Dolder, brother in-law of fire victim David Terry, speaks during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Michael Dolder, brother in-law of fire victim David Terry, speaks during a rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Friends and family of fire victim David Terry gather to rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a fire that killed David Terry, 32, and his children, Layah Terry, 3; Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months, relatives held a rally to call for justice in the case. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Friends and family of fire victim David Terry gather to rally for justice on Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014 in Schenectady, N.Y. Days after federal prosecutors dropped charges against a local man accused of setting a ... more

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

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Supporters rally for Hulett St. fire victims

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Butler's release came after a new suspect emerged in the case, which was first reported last month by the Times Union.